Emergency call-up. Doesn't count against one of the remaining two full recalls.

I discussed why not Allison in the blog. He has yet this season to go even two full weeks without some sort of injury -- minor like the recent skate cut or more-than-minor like the MCL sprain or earlier forearm injury -- forcing him out of the lineup again. He's made it four games in a row now. If it stays that way, he'll come back up.
- bmeltzer

Discussed in the blog, as pertains to Allison and Laczynski. Both need to show they can stay healthy for a bit longer.

Cates is lost for the season. Thankfully he didn't break his neck or some such on that horrific crash into the boards.

Ratcliffe needs more consistency in his game. There are time where it looks like he's broken through and times where he takes a step backward.
- bmeltzer

Why in your opinion isnt Zamula up with the Flyers?

Bill any issue with Ellis and the Flyers medical staff and/or Mcrossin?

Tomahawk, I examined the numbers you presented and here are some of my observations:

1. Sanheim has played more minutes, because he has missed less games.
2. At even strength Sanheim offensively has been better than Risto this year. No surprise here at all, we all can see that with our eyes when we watch the games. However lately Risto has been getting more involved and it has been paying dividends.
3. At even strength, defensively Sanheim is better than Risto. I can't find anywhere what factors into this WAR calculation so I don't know how to respond further without knowing what this is really telling me.
4. Both Risto and Sanheim have not played the PP that much and thus they have the same PP WAR, not surprising.
5. Sanheim has played more short handed minutes than Risto and has a slightly better defensive SH WAR, though not by much, .0.07 to -.04, so they are both essentially at 0.

So I conclude that Sanheim has a better over WAR score because of two factors: he is better offensively and defensively at even strength than Risto, but again without knowing what the formula is that this source is using its really hard for me to know what this actually means. For example, in several of these WAR categories, Risto is in the middle of the pack and above good defenseman like Alex Pietrangelo, Ben Chiarat, Jacod Trouba, etc. So its not all bad when it comes to Risto and I do believe if he got more involved in the offense earlier in the season, he would have overall better WAR numbers. Do you blame Risto for this or the coaching, specifically what the coaches asked of Risto to do?

I hope you know that I appreciate you sending me this and I sincerely hope you can see that I took it very seriously and simply want to have an objective discussion.

Why in your opinion isnt Zamula up with the Flyers?

Bill any issue with Ellis and the Flyers medical staff and/or Mcrossin?
- hello it's me 2050

Regarding Ellis Fletcher explained this yesterday on Flyers daily with Jason M. They are trying to avoid surgery and continue to look at alternative treatments that achieve the same goal to have Ellis ready by training camp. The reason they are exploring every option in an attempt to avoid surgery is because as Fletcher states: "Rehab from surgery is a lot easier for a 20 year old than it is for a 30 year old". It sounded to me that the medical staff is on this and trying to do what is best for the player.

I am starting to think multiple people have access to this account or you are a suffering from a sever case of schizophrenia
- corduroy

Show me one post where I said I was happy that Risto was resigned? Show me one post where I have not been critical of Risto when he has deserved it? Its not schizophrenic to be fair and balanced, you should try it!

Convi about the next captain.

It will prob be coots.

Would prefer Farabee as captain.

Long shots. Cam and Hayes.
- Peter Richards

I wouldnt rule out Laughton

Regarding Ellis Fletcher explained this yesterday on Flyers daily with Jason M. They are trying to avoid surgery and continue to look at alternative treatments that achieve the same goal to have Ellis ready by training camp. The reason they are exploring every option in an attempt to avoid surgery is because as Fletcher states: "Rehab from surgery is a lot easier for a 20 year old than it is for a 30 year old". It sounded to me that the medical staff is on this and trying to do what is best for the player.
- jd250

sounds to me that the team and Ellis are not on the same page for it to drag on this far.

Pure entertainment when he gets surgery in July or the season if over.

At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Hayes.
- Tomahawk

Why not? Bring in more of his buddies.

Tomahawk, I examined the numbers you presented and here are some of my observations:

1. Sanheim has played more minutes, because he has missed less games.
2. At even strength Sanheim offensively has been better than Risto this year. No surprise here at all, we all can see that with our eyes when we watch the games. However lately Risto has been getting more involved and it has been paying dividends.
3. At even strength, defensively Sanheim is better than Risto. I can't find anywhere what factors into this WAR calculation so I don't know how to respond further without knowing what this is really telling me.
4. Both Risto and Sanheim have not played the PP that much and thus they have the same PP WAR, not surprising.
5. Sanheim has played more short handed minutes than Risto and has a slightly better defensive SH WAR, though not by much, .0.07 to -.04, so they are both essentially at 0.

So I conclude that Sanheim has a better over WAR score because of two factors: he is better offensively and defensively at even strength than Risto, but again without knowing what the formula is that this source is using its really hard for me to know what this actually means. For example, in several of these WAR categories, Risto is in the middle of the pack and above good defenseman like Alex Pietrangelo, Ben Chiarat, Jacod Trouba, etc. So its not all bad when it comes to Risto and I do believe if he got more involved in the offense earlier in the season, he would have overall better WAR numbers. Do you blame Risto for this or the coaching, specifically what the coaches asked of Risto to do?

I hope you know that I appreciate you sending me this and I sincerely hope you can see that I took it very seriously and simply want to have an objective discussion.
- jd250

Eye test summary here

Risto is a 3rd pair dman at best needing to be sheltered

Sanheim could possibly be a 2nd pair dman but could max out 3rd pair not needing to be sheltered

Conclusion: sanheim better than risto

Don’t know that I disagree w you. His last game was an absolute dumpster fire which he admitted.

However, if we have to find the “right” compliment to play w 6.75 milll dman Provy then why not find the right guy to play w 5.1 mill dman Risto? Seems fair, no?

Either way I don’t really like the mix of Provy, Ellis, Sanheim and Risto. Not enough guys there that we can trust playing d. In reality there is only 1 we can trust and who knows if he is healthy in Sept. They gotta mix in York and Attard and whatnot..
- Joe Nardone

I agree, I don't like the mix either, that is why I think its possible that Provorov is traded to bring in a top end forward. Especially where he is a LHS defenseman that makes the most money out of the defenseman on this team and you have York, Zamula and Attard waiting in the wings. I also agree that its very fair to point out that if Ellis is the player to make Provorov better, why do we a problem with finding a partner for Risto?

Eye test summary here

Risto is a 3rd pair dman at best needing to be sheltered

Sanheim could possibly be a 2nd pair dman but could max out 3rd pair not needing to be sheltered

Conclusion: sanheim better than risto
- Stayin alive

I don't agree, Sanheim is by my eye test poor defensively and cannot be the best player in the pairing. I think both players have strengths and a few weaknesses also which is why neither is a top pairing player.

Lindblom out tonight, 'banged up' according to Yeo. Guess we get to see 11 and 7 again

Emergency call-up. Doesn't count against one of the remaining two full recalls.

I discussed why not Allison in the blog. He has yet this season to go even two full weeks without some sort of injury -- minor like the recent skate cut or more-than-minor like the MCL sprain or earlier forearm injury -- forcing him out of the lineup again. He's made it four games in a row now. If it stays that way, he'll come back up.
- bmeltzer

Yes, I think its prudent for the Flyers to keep Allison in the AHL the rest of the way. Let him gain some confidence in himself and his body. The big club has to lose games right now, we don't need Allison playing well for the big club right now.

sounds to me that the team and Ellis are not on the same page for it to drag on this far.

Pure entertainment when he gets surgery in July or the season if over.
- hello it's me 2050

Once again flyers are (frank)ing joke.
Yes surgery should NEVER be first option. But whatever the injury is the timeline for other treatments and rest blah blah blah doesn’t add up. It’s been since last offseason possibly longer he’s been with this. Wouldn’t be shocked if was playing in Nashville with This issue.

After shutting it down and going months surgery is needed.

They absolutely will wait until June July august then do surgery and Ellis will come back around January and be shell of self rest of next season and that’s if not in out of line up.

Just another screw up in long line of dysfunctional organization

The next captain isnt on this roster yet. No need to name someone for the sake of having a captain. Wait till we have a qualified leader .

Lindblom out tonight, 'banged up' according to Yeo. Guess we get to see 11 and 7 again
- TobyFlenderson

Let the undercover tank speculation begin

ESPN+ exclusive means March Madness for me tonight

As you know I was against re-signing Risto for the exact reasons you are posting here. I like him overall, I think he has some strong parts of his game in terms of winning battles and providing the physical presence. But at what price do the Flyers get these attributes? Risto gives up the blue line way too much which is why the other team gets so many scoring chances when he is on the ice. His decision making sometimes is dumbfounding to be honest, for example hitting the Wing's player right into Hart (and BTW that is not the first time he has done that). It turned out to be a bad trade and I wouldn't have resigned him. Now the next coach has to figure out how to leverage the good from Risto while also limited the blast radius of his mistakes. I understand RHS defenseman are valued and a physical presence was needed, but I still believe Fletcher could have got this from a cheaper player who actually plays smarter.
- jd250

Why are you moving posts from one thread to another?

As for the rest, all I have to say is. Flip-flop flip-flop.

Wrong account?
- ClaudeFather

He's known this all along.

Regarding Ellis Fletcher explained this yesterday on Flyers daily with Jason M. They are trying to avoid surgery and continue to look at alternative treatments that achieve the same goal to have Ellis ready by training camp. The reason they are exploring every option in an attempt to avoid surgery is because as Fletcher states: "Rehab from surgery is a lot easier for a 20 year old than it is for a 30 year old". It sounded to me that the medical staff is on this and trying to do what is best for the player.
- jd250

something doesn't seem right there

Don’t know that I disagree w you. His last game was an absolute dumpster fire which he admitted.

However, if we have to find the “right” compliment to play w 6.75 milll dman Provy then why not find the right guy to play w 5.1 mill dman Risto? Seems fair, no?

- Joe Nardone

No in my opinion. Provorov is a player that has shown he has true top pairing ability in the past. He's just gotten sidetracked with the situation. Risto has never been more than a mediocre player.

Regarding Ellis Fletcher explained this yesterday on Flyers daily with Jason M. They are trying to avoid surgery and continue to look at alternative treatments that achieve the same goal to have Ellis ready by training camp. The reason they are exploring every option in an attempt to avoid surgery is because as Fletcher states: "Rehab from surgery is a lot easier for a 20 year old than it is for a 30 year old". It sounded to me that the medical staff is on this and trying to do what is best for the player.
- jd250

Translation. Ellis will never be the same.

Emergency call-up. Doesn't count against one of the remaining two full recalls.

I discussed why not Allison in the blog. He has yet this season to go even two full weeks without some sort of injury -- minor like the recent skate cut or more-than-minor like the MCL sprain or earlier forearm injury -- forcing him out of the lineup again. He's made it four games in a row now. If it stays that way, he'll come back up.
- bmeltzer

This makes no sense to me. He's proved he's an NHL player. He can get hurt in either league.

Show me one post where I said I was happy that Risto was resigned? Show me one post where I have not been critical of Risto when he has deserved it? Its not schizophrenic to be fair and balanced, you should try it!
- jd250

Fair and balanced? LOL. That's not what you've been, Calling Ristolainen the Flyers best defenseman and one of the best defenseman in the league is not fair and balanced. This is just some kind of fake epiphany. The next good play Ristolainen makes, he'll be great again in your eyes.

Fair and balanced? LOL. That's not what you've been, Calling Ristolainen the Flyers best defenseman and one of the best defenseman in the league is not fair and balanced. This is just some kind of fake epiphany. The next good play Ristolainen makes, he'll be great again in your eyes.
- MJL

Spot on, it’s mind numbing reading this guys posts day to day